Reconciliation Action Plan Launch
Posted on May 31, 2024
The Friends’ School is proud to announce the official launch of its Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) during National Reconciliation Week. This milestone reflects the School’s enduring commitment to fostering an environment of peace, equality, and justice in line with its Quaker values.
View The Friends’ School’s Reconciliation Action Plan
The development of the RAP has been a five-year journey involving the collaboration of over 40 dedicated individuals from diverse backgrounds within the School community. Their careful consideration and thoughtful input have shaped a comprehensive plan that aims to promote reconciliation and deepen the understanding of Indigenous cultures, histories, and contributions.
The School’s unique history and establishment in 1887 has links to First Australian Peoples. Quaker missionaries James Backhouse and George Washington Walker arrived in Tasmania in 1831 from England to report back to the London Meeting House on conditions in the penal colonies and Aboriginal settlements. In seeking the truth, they deplored the way that the Aboriginal population had been deprived of their lands without compensation. Backhouse wrote, “we cannot but deprecate the short-sighted policy by which the lands of the Aboriginal inhabitants have been wrested from them, with little or no regard for their natural and indefeasible rights.” On completing their six year mission, Walker settled in Hobart and went on to help establish The Friends’ School in Hobart, which thrives today as Australia’s only Quaker school.
Principal of The Friends’ School, Esther Hill, emphasised the significance of the RAP in the context of the School’s core values. “Our Quaker values of peace, community and equality are not just ideals we talk about; they are principles we actively incorporate into our daily activities and interactions. We actively support the ongoing work towards equality, justice and equity between Australia’s First Peoples. Our Indigenous communities have important traditions, languages, and cultural practices. Through the RAP we support Voice, Treaty and Truth as a process that will amplify the voices and empower the self-determination of Australian First Peoples.”
The RAP provides us with an opportunity to document the steps our school is already taking in regard to reconciliation and to provide a framework for future work in this important area. These initiatives include curriculum developments, community partnerships, and events and activities that celebrate and acknowledge Indigenous heritage and knowledge.
The launch event took place on Thursday 30 May on the Commercial Road Campus and featured speeches from David Edmiston (Association and Past-Board member) who were involved in developing the RAP, the School’s Principal Esther Hill and a Welcome to Country smoking ceremony from NITA Education.
In addition to the RAP launch, The Friends’ School has organised a series of activities during National Reconciliation Week to further engage students and the community. These activities include:
- Guest Speaker: Professor Tim McCormack, was appointed in 2011 by the then Premier, Peter Gutwein, to support the former Governor, Professor Kate Warner, in consulting with Tasmania’s Aboriginal People and to recommend a pathway to Truth-Telling and Treaty. Tim made a presentation to Senior students and believes this subject matter is profoundly important for Tasmania’s future.
- In-Class Learning: Students will explore the concept of ‘reconciliation’ and discuss what the word means, fostering meaningful conversations and deeper understanding.
- Sea of Hearts Initiative: Our Early Learning team will participate in this creative project, symbolising love and respect towards Indigenous peoples.
